1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
the two siblings seemed intent on rasping each other for the entire car trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
during the last ice age, glaciers rasped the surface, leaving the deeply scarred rock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rasp
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
Her strong, confident country voice shone through immediately in her performance of this Judds song, with just enough rasp to really give it some edge.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2025
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Cody Gapko struck the post three times — once with a deflected cross, twice with rasping drives — while Senne Lammens saved Alexander Isak’s shot with an outstretched right foot.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Noun
Kirbi, that rasp is so beautiful at the top of your register.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
Her strong, confident country voice shone through immediately in her performance of this Judds song, with just enough rasp to really give it some edge.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
She’s preoccupied though, training a gun on the facility’s head officer, Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), whose RFK Jr. rasp and licentious focus on Perfidia sets him up as a comedic draw and a convincing picture of America’s sanctioned white violence.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Cody Gapko struck the post three times — once with a deflected cross, twice with rasping drives — while Senne Lammens saved Alexander Isak’s shot with an outstretched right foot.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
-
Be sure to only use cleaning formulas designed for auto glass and microfiber cloths to prevent damage and scratches.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Propagation and growing seeds from scratch requires space.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Until sound effects, tones, and grating atmospheres rub right up against the dialogue.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
An employee washed hands for less than 10 seconds at the sushi bar, and the inspector wants to see 10-15 seconds of your hands rubbing each other.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Smart skidded across the floor for a loose ball and was fouled, a jaw-scraping effort that forced him to check his teeth on his way up from the hardwood.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
There's other data that has been scraped or pulled through hacks or leaks that can be sold for criminals to obtain.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the president doesn’t get annoyed with him once or twice.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe annoyed enough to fix it.—
Nathan Edwards,
The Verge,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Messick, who grew up dreaming of wearing a Rays uniform, continues to be a nightmare for his hometown team.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Melania wore a double-breasted crepe suit from American designer Adam Lippes, who also designed her navy-and-ivory ensemble for the president's second inauguration ceremony last year.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate).—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Your baby was waking at every creak of the floorboard, every passing car, every branch scraping the window.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No charges were immediately filed.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tona Henderson, an Idaho resident who has worked for decades to get Idaho included in the program, warned of scammers charging people to help file claims.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Although pest control companies offer lethal solutions such as carpenter bee traps or chemical treatments, the best way to keep carpenter bees from bugging you is using stained, sealed, varnished or treated wood in building projects.—
Sarah Linn
April 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
